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Betrayal Trauma: The Logic of Forgetting Childhood Abuse |  | Author: Jennifer J. Freyd
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Category: Book
List Price: $26.50
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Seller: greythunder
Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 408551
Media: Paperback
Pages: 240
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 9 x 5.7 x 0.7
ISBN: 0674068068
Dewey Decimal Number: 616
EAN: 9780674068063
ASIN: 0674068068
Publication Date: February 6, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com Review
Jennifer J. Freyd understands the operation of memory in both professional and personal terms. As an academic psychologist, Professor Freyd has researched the psychological processes of memory and the physiological operation of the mind. In Betrayal Trauma, she uses the generally accepted findings of cognitive science to formulate a psychological theory of recovered memory. But Jennifer J. Freyd's interests and involvement in the study of recovered memories is not strictly academic. During her research, Freyd "uncovered" her own memories of childhood abuse. Her parents, who vehemently denied her allegations, have helped found an organization to support others "falsely accused" by individuals with "recovered memories" of abuse. Freyd's personal stake in the subject matter ironically causes her to go the extra mile in maintaining professional objectivity. While partisan detractors of other stripes will likely disagree, most of Freyd's well-written study sticks to the scientific processes that could supply an explanatory basis for forgetting and remembering traumatic experiences. Freyd mostly eschews victimology. She even considers how artificial memories could be the result of bad psychotherapy. Betrayal Trauma outlines a compelling thesis of how memory operates that addresses a controversial topic with great aplomb.
Product Description
This book lays bare the logic of forgotten abuse. Psychologist Jennifer Freyd's breakthrough theory explaining this phenomenon shows how psychogenic amnesia not only happens but, if the abuse occurred at the hands of a parent or caregiver, is often necessary for survival. Freyd's book will give embattled professionals, beleaguered abuse survivors, and the confused public a new, clear understanding of the lifelong effects and treatment of child abuse.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
 a different approach November 17, 2009
Aarati Agrawal
The book seems to offer a perspective for why a child would forget and dissociate from childhood abuse. I appreciated the viewpoints from cognitive science regarding dissociation and memory. They seemed to explain why serious abuse would lead to processes in the brain that highly favor dissociation (to the point of forgetting). But, I wished that the book offered more information on this particular type of dissociation - dissociative amnesia - and also on how the healing process relates to the field of cognitive science and memory.
 This book answers vital questions about recovered memories March 13, 2008
Jane Rowan (New England, USA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
How could the huge betrayal of sexual abuse remain hidden in the back corners of my psyche for years and years? Can I really believe a memory that has been hidden so long?
Betrayal Trauma provides sensible, evidence-based answers to these questions. Freyd explains that forgetting is useful to the child because it enables her to remain in contact with the family that is essential for her survival. The closer the relationship with the abuser, the more important it is to forget the abuse in order to keep that relationship working, problematic though it is.
Freyd even found data showing that kids whose abuse was reported to authorities often "forgot" it for years, and the closer the relationship to the abuser (father vs. cousin, for example), the more likely the forgetting.
Isn't that stunning? Yet it makes total sense. I had to keep eating cornflakes every morning opposite my father and relying on him for food, learning, and yes, love. I could not allow myself to remember the abuse in the night.
Has been extremely helpful in my recovery July 27, 2004
Kathleen A. Sullivan (Chattanooga TN United States)
25 out of 26 found this review helpful
Before I read Betrayal Trauma, I obsessed over the details of WHAT had been done to me, to protect myself from the deeper and more devastating knowledge that I was severely betrayed by people who were expected, by society, to protect and care about me. As I let go of my denial that their behaviors were the norm, and accepted that they had wilfully chosen to betray me, I felt and fully experienced the deep, foundational pain that I'd secretly feared might kill me. I was stunned to realize how their innumerable betrayals had kept me separated from the rest of society for DECADES. Armed with that knowledge, I was able to let go of my childishly unrealistic expectations, and emotionally disconnect from them. As I let go, I realized how lonely I was. Although I'd used my inner selves in the past decades for company, I now dared to reach out to external others. As I did - miracle of miracles - I began to fully integrate. (I've been tested recently, and no longer have DID, although I still struggle with PTSD from hell.) Some of the healthy people I've since chosen to trust, love, and bond with have become members of my new family of choice. I cannot, in words, sufficiently express the joy and happiness I now feel when I interact with them. I never would have experienced this marvelous part of ordinary life, had I not allowed Dr. Freyd's words to lead me through my foundational pain. By example, she blazed a brave path that I am fortunate to have found and followed.
Uncommon Objectivity November 1, 2000
26 out of 27 found this review helpful
Because of her parents attacks on Dr. Freyd, I'd expected to find some of her justifible anger in the pages of this book. I did not. Dr. Freyd is logical, objective, and professional in her handling of this sensitive subject. She adds a somewhat new perspective to the old story of sexual abuse and betrayal. An excellent addition to any therapist's or survivor's library.
Excellent September 16, 1999
23 out of 27 found this review helpful
I consider this book one of a small handful that really goes to the core of understanding trauma and its influence. Other such books include works by Alice Miller, Konrad Stettbacher, and Mortan Schatzman (Soul Murder; out of print; not the book by the same title by Leonard Schengold).
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
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